Tara's Trials (Romance on the Oregon Trail Book 4)

by Kathleen Ball

  “So, it wasn’t Indians?” Captain London sounded disbelieving.

  “Not any that I saw. I saw at least four men and they were white. I tried to report it at the fort, but the storekeeper said they didn’t have any way of reporting it, no authorities there. The man there wasn’t accommodating. I guess if you don’t have money he wasn’t interested.”

  “The bedroll,” Captain London murmured. “Where were you headed before all this happened?”

  “I was on my way to Oregon with my father. We were coming from the Smokey Mountains, and we were excited to homestead in Oregon. We were thrilled to build a new house and learn about a new land. I guess it’s just me now…” Her voice trailed off as her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”

  “Zander, will you take her back to the wagon?” London asked, but it was really more of an order. “Harrison has asked for the next available wagon for his growing family. Meaning you, Heath, and Declan. I have extra supplies I can donate, and maybe one of the women will find a dress or two for… for… I didn’t even get your name.”

  “Tara Carmichael, sir.”

  “Tara, I’d appreciate it if you stayed in the wagon. If any of the men from the raid see you alive and recognize you, they won’t be happy they’ve left a witness. We need to sort a few things out, but you can trust Zander and anyone he introduces you to.”

  “Thank you.”

  Zander tried to get back to the wagon with no one noticing, but plenty of the folks in the wagon train saw them.

  “Who is she and how is she traveling with us?” Patty Mince asked rather boldly.

  Before long, a crowd began to gather and Tara backed up against Zander. Zander groaned. Everyone had to pry into everyone else’s business on this journey.

  “Tara here got separated from her party, and we’re taking her with us to meet up with those who took Sublette’s Cutoff in the hope she’ll be reunited with her group. Captain London asked me to keep her in the wagon for now.”

  He wanted to laugh. Almost all of them looked as though they didn’t believe him. Too bad. He escorted her back to where he found her. Heath and Dawn were building a fire together. It looked to be taking a long time since Heath had to kiss Dawn on the cheek every few seconds. They jumped apart when he and Tara approached.

  “Meet Tara, our new passenger,” Zander said.

  Heath and Dawn both nodded to Tara and then stared at him for an explanation.

  “First, I need to get her into the wagon and then I’ll explain.” He put his hands around her tiny waist and lifted into the wagon. He could have sworn she frowned at him.

  “We’re not to let her be seen, though most of the camp has seen her by now. I’ll explain when everyone gets here.”

  Dawn appeared perplexed. “I’ll gather the rest.” She hurried off.

  “You can tell me,” Heath coaxed.

  Zander laughed and nodded toward the approaching group of people. “Here they come.” He waited while Harrison and Cora, Luella and Declan joined them. “Tara is inside the wagon.”

  Tara nodded from the back of the wagon.

  “She saw her whole party slaughtered a few days ago and has been on her own. Captain London asked that she stay hidden since she’s the only witness. She hid out in our wagon because needed help but also because she wanted to warn us.”

  Everyone stared at him taking it all in. Cora was the first into the wagon, followed by Luella and Dawn. Essie—Cora and Harrison’s baby—cried, and Cora just put her hands out and waited for Harrison to put Essie into her arms.

  “The bedroll?” Declan asked.

  Zander nodded. “She was traveling with her father and went to take care of personal needs in the tall grass when it happened. They were white men, and they were looking for something. They came back hours after they killed everyone to take another look. Tara stayed in the same place until nighttime, and she’s been walking and hiding since it happened. She hadn’t had any food. I managed to get her a plate of beans. She did get water at the fort. She has nothing except, now, the bedroll.”

  “Why didn’t she stay and get help from the man at the fort?” Heath asked.

  “He told her he couldn’t get any messages out. Her clothes are torn to shreds, and she was hungry. What type of person turns his back on another in need?” Zander shook his head. “What? I have compassion and can even be nice occasionally.”

  Harrison’s lips twitched. “You can’t blame us for being surprised is all. How many men are we talking about?”

  “She saw four men but is sure there were more. They even scalped some of the dead.”

  “Trying to make it look as though Indians had done it?” Declan asked, his voice laced with anger.

  “If she saw who did it, she’s in danger. We need to guard her at night,” Harrison said.

  Heath frowned. “How are we going to do that, watch the cattle, and sleep next to our wives?”

  Declan laughed. “It’s not easy being newly wed on this trip.”

  “It’s not just that,” Heath protested. “Dawn has nightmares.”

  “We’ll draw up a schedule, and Dawn can bunk with Tara on nights you have guard duty. Any of our wives can double up. Have a feeling we’ll all be pulling extra guard duty to keep us all safe,” Harrison said.

  They all turned toward the wagon when they heard laughter. “A hen party?” Zander furrowed his brow. “I thought there’d be tears.”

  Harrison nodded. “That might come next with Cora and Luella both expecting.”

  Declan grimaced. “Why?”

  “Pregnant women cry a lot,” Harrison told him.

  “It’ll be a long trip if that happens,” Declan said.

  Harrison smiled. “Yes it will.”

  Chapter Two

  Tara tried repeatedly to fall asleep. But her thoughts were too full of what had happened and of where she now was. If only she could get her brain to just stop. When she closed her eyes, she saw the people of her wagon party being killed. Her father was dead, she’d seen him fall. She could still hear the screams during the attack and see all the blood. It was too disturbing to relive, but her mind wouldn’t let it go.

  Sleeping in the wagon was a nice twist of fate. She had fully expected to sleep outside on the stolen bedroll. But everyone had been very kind to her, especially the handsome man named Zander. His eyes were a vivid blue and his hair was dark. He was tall but not as brawny as his friend Declan.

  Men were never interested in her except in one way. She was too much of a tomboy. She could do all the chores a woman needed to do but she also could do anything a man could do. She loved to hunt. The woods, any woods, were where’d she’d rather be.

  Were her belongings still in the wagon? She had always worn buckskins until this trip. But her father insisted she wear dresses, behave more ladylike. It had been hard to talk to other women, though. She wasn’t interested in the latest styles or recipes. She’d rather set her rabbit traps or prepare the skins to sell at the trading post. There probably weren’t many men in Oregon who would want a wife such as her. Would she feel safe enough to make a life on her own?

  She knew how to survive but as far as manners went; she knew only the bare basics—as to the rest; she was clueless. Shuffling noises rose from outside as someone rolled under the wagon. The guard shift must have changed. She didn’t want to be a bother. All she needed was a rifle and a hunting knife and she could pull her weight. She knew as long as she stayed with this party, though, that would never happen. She’d be useful, at least. She could drive a wagon. She might look puny, but she was strong.

  She liked the women she’d met, but if she had to pick one she’d pick Dawn. She was a survivor. Tara could tell by the look in her eyes.

  Finally, the sun was due to rise, and she opened the canvas in the back of the wagon a bit. A burst of refreshing, cool morning air blew in, and her heart gave a pang. Morning had been her father’s favorite time of day. If only her father was with h
er now. He’d been her only friend, and it was as if part of her was missing. He expected her to marry someday, but she wasn’t sure who she was supposed to marry. Besides, she didn’t need a man in her life.

  She was used to keeping busy and sitting idle didn’t feel right. She could have had a fire going and breakfast made by now. Eventually, the other women were up, and Luella and Dawn needed things from their trunks. Tara was just in the way. Perhaps it wasn’t the best of ideas to stay, but what other choice did she have?

  Cora came with her baby girl and handed Tara a dress. “This should fit until I can make you more.”

  “Thank you, Cora.” Tara unfolded the dress and found herself surprised how pretty it was.

  “Luella and Dawn are good with a needle too, so we should have you outfitted in no time.”

  “It’s a lot of trouble to go to.”

  “We don’t mind. Helping each other makes our lives and our travels less difficult.”

  Tara smiled. “I’ve never worked with women before. It’s always just been me and my Pa. So, what are the rules? Do we all try to get along? Do we vote on which way to do things? Do I do more work since I’m the new person?”

  Cora’s lips twitched. “I don’t think there are rules. You try to get along with everyone and be respectful. If we think we’re right, we don’t tell someone else they are wrong. We explain why we believe our way is better. We’re all from different backgrounds, and we’ve learned a lot from one another. I never had female friends either, but I’ve found I rather like it.”

  “I guess I’ll watch while I’m stuck in here and try to learn.”

  Cora leaned in and patted Tara’s hand. “Oh, my. Could you hold Essie for a moment?” Cora didn’t wait for a reply. She just handed the baby to Tara and ran toward the woods.

  Tara and Essie eyed each other. “I once had a bobcat. I raised him from a kitten.”

  Essie watched her. “I do believe you are the first human baby I’ve ever held. So what do we do next?”

  Essie was cooing and smiling until she wasn’t. Her cried pierced the quiet of the morning. Now what? Tara was out of her element. “Shh, baby.”

  Zander climbed through the front and sat in the wagon. “Here give her to me.”

  Tara quickly handed him the wailing child. “I didn’t do anything to her.”

  Zander smiled. “Essie, what’s with all this noise my sweet, sweet, colleen?” He kissed her cheek before he laid her against his chest, her head on his shoulder. She quieted and suddenly seemed quite content.

  “I guess you and Essie have met before.”

  “We’re old friends. Do you remember where the attack happened?”

  “Yes, we took the Sublette Cutoff, and we stopped at Thomas Fork before Bear River. We rested a few days, and the group who took the Fort Bridger route caught up. We rested with them for a day, and then we continued. It’s beautiful along the Bear. At least it was.” She glanced down at her hands. The shock of what had happened was being replaced with horror and loss.

  “We have folks to meet at Thomas Fork too. I’m so sorry. It must have been horrible to watch and then terrifying to have to lie so still looking at all the death and destruction. You want to look away but you can’t, your kin are there dead. After, when you realize you can go you do so but leaving is hard too. Panic sets in, where are you to go? Now you’re in danger and have to hide. Part of you wishes you had died too and another part is so grateful to God that you lived. Tragedies happen in many places. Some say it strengthens you, but I never found that to be true. I just found it to be an unjustified tragedy that can’t be avenged and it’s in my heart at all times.”

  She lifted her head and stared at him. “That’s exactly how I feel. I’m sorry for your loss but I feel comforted that someone knows how I feel. You must tell me your story sometime.”

  He patted Essie on the back. “Perhaps. It’s a long story.”

  Cora poked her head in. “Oh, Zander, I didn’t know you were in here. Essie sure does love you.” She reached her hands out, and Zander placed the child into her arms. “I’m sorry I ran out so fast but morning sickness got the better of me.” She smiled as she cuddled the baby near and walked away.

  “I’ve never held a baby before.”

  “You did well. I’m going to slip out before I get caught in here alone and have to marry you.”

  She watched him leave. Have to get married? What was that all about?

  There were no secrets or privacy to be had. They’d been traveling four days, and he was getting a hard stare from most of the women. Everyone seemed to know that Tara was riding with them and that he visited her. It was nothing but a traveling community you couldn’t leave for months and months.

  It was getting late in the day, and the plan was to get to Thomas Fork and meet the others. Many speculated on whether they were alive. Zander didn’t care. Cora had a friend who had gone the way of the waterless dust.

  As soon as they sighted the wagons, an air of happiness seemed to float from wagon to wagon. They formed the familiar circle near the water. Many scrambled to see how well the others had fared.

  Cora ran when she spotted Sally and Rod Waverly. Sally broke down into tears while Cora held her.

  Zander watched for a specific three, though he would have been fine if they didn’t come back. Troublemakers; Chuck Klass, Eddie Connors, and the Scout Tom Simps. And there they were. Eddie was gaunt and limping. Chuck Klass had but one ox pulling his wagon and Tom was lying on a bedroll near a fire. Many others looked as though they had suffered. It didn’t look as though the cutoff was worth it. Their livestock looked exhausted and poorly after resting for four days.

  Zander and Harrison exchanged worried glances. He hoped no one would think they would get their hands on any of Harrison’s live stock.

  Captain London stood on his familiar crate and called for all to come close. “Looks like most made it. We’ll be here for two more nights. Meanwhile we need to be extra diligent. A wagon train not too far from here was attacked.”

  “Indians?” someone asked.

  “White men wiped out most of the party. They were brutal, as brutal as Indians. We’ll take the time to dig graves when we get there. I don’t know if there are any wagons that were left undamaged. We have the witness with us, and no one will touch a wagon. She has first right if anything is still there. Carry your weapons and no one should wander off. I will double the guards. One more thing, the people who took Sublette’s Cutoff were warned about how hard it would be. Do not put anyone on the spot by asking for their livestock. Your decision, your consequences.

  “It’s that sorry excuse of a scout’s fault! He never found us food or water!” Eddie yelled.

  The scout, Tom Simps struggled to stand. “You were told there wouldn’t be water, and if you needed food, you should have gone to Bridger’s Fort. You refused to travel at night until I finally left you behind. You have been nothing but trouble from the day you joined our group!” Tom staggered and a few men helped him back down to his bedroll.

  Captain London stared Eddie down. “I spoke with each of you taking that cutoff. I told you what to expect. You added more than a day by not traveling at night. Have you no care for animals? Don’t you dare ask Harrison for help. Not after all you put his wife through. You might have to see if someone will share their wagon with you!”

  The captain then scanned the crowd. “Every man will take a turn at guard duty. A few of you paid Tom to not put you on the schedule. That will happen no more. Zander, I’ll need you to help me make a schedule seeing as you pull the most duty of anyone.”

  Zander nodded. It was nice to be treated like an equal. He’d always just been Declan and Heath’s friend.

  “Where is this survivor? How do we know it’s not a trap?” Chuck Klass demanded.

  “It’s not a trap and that’s all you need to know,” the captain said.

  “I’ll go from wagon to wagon and hunt her out like the liar she is!”

&nb
sp; Harrison stepped forward. “Why is it you give no one the benefit of the doubt? The young lady watched her father and everyone on her wagon train killed. If I find you near her—”

  “Another stray for you and your group? We shouldn’t have to put up with you and your questionable women!”

  Reverend Paul stepped between the men. “Let’s all be thankful that no one died on our way here to Thomas Fork. It’s a time for joy, not a time for violence or harsh words.”

  “I still have the right to question her!”

  Captain London Held his hands up. “No one will disturb her or mention her.” He got down from his crate and walked to his wagon.

  Harrison, Declan, Heath, and Zander stood shoulder to shoulder and stared Chuck down. He finally grunted and left.

  “I heard some but not all,” Tara had her head and shoulders out of the canvas waiting for them to come back.

  “Not too much to hear,” Declan said.

  “The ones who traveled the cutoff aren’t happy. I guess they had a hard time of it,” Heath explained as he sat on a crate and pulled Dawn down onto his lap. It was impossible to miss the love between them. All of them actually.

  Tara wasn’t schooled in the ways of married folks. Harrison treated Cora and Essie as if he’d protect them to the very end. Declan’s gaze followed Luella and there was a look in his eyes and Tara wished someone would gaze at her the same way. Heath and Dawn were harder to read. She startled easily and stiffened when Heath first touched her but then a loving smile crossed her face, and they would hold each other as though no matter what they were one.

  Zander frowned a lot, but he seemed to ignore all the evidence of love. Though she heard one of the men talking about Zander routinely making himself scarce during the evenings. They speculated he was meeting someone.

  She wasn’t so sure. He never mentioned a woman, and he didn’t seem to be in a hurry to meet anyone, but she’d only known him for a fortnight. She valued his friendship the most. She heard horses and ducked back inside the wagon. She had a bad feeling. She gathered a few supplies and put them in a flour sack. The bed roll was ready to go with her too.